Guest Blogger: How to Build Open Shelf Cabinets for your Kitchen

Guest Blogger #261, Entry #768, November 18, 2011

Are you looking for a fast and inexpensive way to give your kitchen a fresh new look? Consider building new cabinets. Cabinets can be relatively simple to build and install yourself, and it is a great way to improve the look and functionality of your kitchen, while increasing your home’s value.

Simple steps for open shelf cabinetry

Image via: Bungalow Jax

Just follow these simple steps:

1. Plan ahead! 

It’s important to never “wing” any home improvement job, no matter how simple it seems. Purchasing your materials and starting construction will inevitably lead to multiple attempts and a lot of wasted time and materials. Carefully measure the space you need for your new cabinets, drawing out a plan if possible. You may be able to find generic plans complete with measurements for common cabinet sizes online.

2. Gather your tools and materials

Once you have your measurements and are confident in your plan, it’s time to go shopping.

Simple open shelving can be used for display

Image via: Ceramic Creation

You will need:

1. Drill
2. Stain for sure, maybe paint. If you want to paint your cabinet
3. Screws, preferably flat-head. You will want to be sure you have enough so get several dozen. Screws are cheap and even if you have some left over chances are you will need them for something someday.
4. Sander or sand paper
5. L – Brackets. Consult your plans and see how shelves your cabinets will have and multiply this by two – than buy a few extra just in case.
6. Choose the type of wood you want and buy according to your measurements. Some home improvement stores will be able to cut the proper size for your, otherwise be sure you have a power saw.

3. You should have two side pieces, a back piece, the top and as many shelves as you are going to place within. It may be useful to mark each piece “top” “bottom” “shelf” etc to ensure you are cutting the right piece. Cut each piece to the size specified in your original plan.

4. You want to be sure your edges are smooth, so use a sander or cut the corners of the top and bottom pieces into rounded edges.

5. Set down your back piece and mark where you will be screwing in the side panels, measuring to ensure you are screwing it in evenly, and then use your screw driver to affix the side panels.

Beautify your kitchen with open shelf cabinets

Image via: Vignette Design

6. Next it is time to insert the shelves. Accuracy is even more important here so measure and mark where you will be screwing in your shelves with a pencil. Fix two L-brackets for each shelf evenly, once affixed lift the cabinet and set the shelves in place to make sure they are even.

7. Remove the shelves, then carefully measuring screw in the top and the bottom of the shelves. Now everything should be sturdy.

8. Now use your stain and paint if applicable. Make sure it dries completely before using the shelf.

9. Affix the cabinet to the wall. Marking with a pencil where it will be placed beforehand to ensure it is even. Place the shelves within.

That’s all there is to it. Now you have beautiful new open shelves for your kitchen.

Jeff is an internet marketing consultant, part time blogger and he often writes about home improvement and DIY topics. Currently he is a writer and content contributor at Queens Condos.

For more kitchen cabinetry ideas on Stagetecture, click here.